Principal Investigator Dr. Bryan Denny
Dr. Bryan Denny is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Rice University and Director of the Translational Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (T-SCAN) Lab. He received his BA in psychology in 2005 from Stanford University and his PhD in psychology in 2012 from Columbia University (working in the lab of Kevin Ochsner). He completed postdoctoral training in clinical applications of social cognitive neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (working in the lab of Harold Koenigsberg). Bryan has had a longstanding interest in seeking to understand the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms that underlie successful and unsuccessful emotion regulation across a spectrum of healthy and clinical populations. Further, he is interested in utilizing the results of basic investigations into these processes in order to design and examine novel interventions focused on improving real-world emotion regulation outcomes in a variety of contexts. Outside the lab, he enjoys traveling, sushi, playing drums, and karaoke.
Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Kelly Brice
Kelly is a postdoctoral associate interested in exploring the relationship between negative affective states, emotion regulation, and psychological and physiological indicators of stress. She is also interested in how changes in psychological state can impact physical health outcomes, including immune function and disease risk. She graduated with her BA in Psychology and minor in Business from Hendrix College in 2017. In 2023, she received her PhD in Psychology from Texas Christian University, where she studied the effects of chronic sleep loss, stress, and poor diet consumption on cognitive function, inflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology in rodents. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going to concerts, painting, crafting, and taking dance classes.
Graduate Student Pauline Goodson 
Pauline is a fourth year graduate student interested in studying the neurobiological underpinnings and behavioral and physiological effects of emotion regulation processes, as well as how training in the different stages of these processes can contribute to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing in humans. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Swarthmore College in 2014 and earned her certification from the University of California, Irvine’s Post-Baccalaureate Program in Psychological Sciences in 2019. Outside of the lab, she spends her time going for jogs, watching cheesy horror films, trying new foods and drinks, and cooking at home.
Graduate Student Beatriz Brandao
Beatriz is a second year graduate student interested in studying the relationship between hormones and their impact on emotion regulation and emotional memory. She received her BS in Psychology in 2021 and her MS in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience in 2022 from the University of Texas at Dallas. Before joining the lab, Beatriz worked at the Center for Brain Health in Dallas as a research assistant developing science programs designed to enhance brain health and performance. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time in nature, dancing, and eating lots of brigadeiro, a Brazilian delicacy.
Visiting Graduate Student Ziva Akrofi
Ziva is a first graduate student studying Bioscience and Health Policy. She received her Bachelor’s in Neuroscience and Psychology from Boston University. She is interested in developing new therapeutics at the intersection of neurological mechanisms and psychological underpinnings. Outside of the lab she enjoys traveling and walking.
Lab Manager / Research Assistant Nia Walls
Nia joined the T-SCAN lab in the summer of 2022 as a project coordinator. She graduated from the University of New Mexico in December 2021, earning a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Criminology and Communications. Prior to the T-SCAN lab, Nia worked as an undergraduate research assistant at the Center of Alcohol, Substance use, and Addictions at the University of New Mexico. Nia plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the intention of becoming a forensic psychologist. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with her family.
Project Coordinator / Research Assistant Rachael Veldman
Rachael became a member of the T-SCAN team as the project coordinator in September of 2023. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Applied Statistics. She is interested in cognitive affective neuroscience and how trauma changes the brain’s ability to emotionally regulate. Rachael previously worked as a case manager serving children in economically disadvantaged communities. She enjoys practicing yoga, playing animal crossing, and exploring Houston’s music and art scenes in her free time.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Talia Andris 
Talia is a junior at Rice University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience and Environmental Studies. She is especially motivated to explore the psychology and neuroscience of prison populations and the emotional distress associated with navigating the carceral system at large, both at the clinical and research level. She plans to further explore this research interest by pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Prior to the T-SCAN lab, Talia worked with the ACLU of Florida to help pass a voting restoration amendment to re-enfranchize formerly incarcerated individuals. Talia can often be found at the heart of Rice’s campus, in Rice Coffeehouse, where she is the Food Manager and a barista. In her free time, Talia DJs at Rice’s radio station (KTRU), hikes, and explores the Houston food scene, finding cooking inspo along the way.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Victoria Chang
Victoria is a senior at Rice University pursuing a degree in neuroscience and psychology. She is interested in the interactions between emotions and health and the ways in which societal and cultural structures impact mental health and resources. Previously, Victoria worked in the Maheshwari Lab with Dr. Atul Maheshwari at Baylor College of Medicine to investigate how different seizure disorder populations varied in mindfulness. Victoria is involved in environmental groups, such as RISE Today, and mental health organizations, such as the Rice Health Advisor program. In her free time, Victoria enjoys reading webcomics, exploring restaurants, watching cat videos, and crocheting.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Katherine De Paz
Katherine is a junior at Rice University majoring in Cognitive Sciences and Psychology with the long-term goal of earning a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology. She is interested in the mental health effects of stereotype threats and stigmas on brain behavior and cognitive function. Previously, she worked in the Hebl/King Lab where she examined empirical data on gender discrimination in the workplace. Outside of the lab, Katherine enjoys crocheting and candle making.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Arcadia Hinton-Cooley
Arcadia is a junior at Rice University pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. She is interested in understanding the relationship between physical and mental health as well as the neurological underpinnings of mental health disorders. In the future, she hopes to help those struggling with their mental health by entering the field of clinical psychology. Arcadia is an employee at The Hoot and a member of Rice Alliance for Mental Health Awareness (RAMHA). In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting and baking.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Da Yon Jung
Da Yon is a senior at Rice University majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences and minoring in Environmental Studies. She is interested in the effects of emotional and mental health on physical health as well as emotion regulation displayed across different racial and ethnic communities. She plans to pursue higher-level research upon graduation in cognitive psychology. She is also involved in the Psi Chi Chapter at Rice University and the Coalition for Hunger and Homelessness. In her free time, she enjoys reading at a coffee shop, watching true crime documentaries, and building houses on Minecraft.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Amanda Kiesel
Amanda is a senior at Rice majoring in Psychology and Sociology. She is interested in how the foundations of psychology and sociology manifest in the structures of society, particularly in regards to group dynamics, interpersonal communication and wellbeing. Additionally, Amanda has interests in emotion regulation strategies specifically pertaining to multiracial individuals. She is involved in wellbeing and health efforts around campus, serving as an RHA and STRIVE Liaison. In her free time, Amanda likes to take walks around campus and make Spotify playlists. Outside the lab, you can find her watching her comfort show, Gilmore Girls, or drinking her favorite boba order, passionfruit green tea!
Undergraduate Research Assistant Sachi Kishinchandani
Sachi is a senior at Rice University considering studying neuroscience. She is interested in the way thoughts and emotions affect mental and physical health, how emotions influence actions, and the effect of one’s environment on mental health. Sachi is currently involved with spirit events on campus, and is part of the Student Association’s equity council. She is also passionate about reaching out to underrepresented populations in STEM and encouraging them to participate in STEM-based activities. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, gardening (at a very basic level) watching true crime, and going to museums.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Mia Lin 
Mia is a senior at Rice University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience. She hopes to pursue a career in the clinical counseling field upon graduating. Thus, she is interested in studying topics related to mental health and healthcare – including emotional regulation strategies, cultural competency in the profession, and interventions for people struggling with both diagnosed and undiagnosed mental disorders. Over the summer, she interned at The HALO Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals of all ages navigate past and present trauma and eventually walk in positive self-worth. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, eating delicious food, and journaling.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Esha Patel
Esha is a junior at Rice University majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Esha is interested in understanding the factors of emotion regulation and how it relates to the environmental changes around us. She plans on developing a career in neurology and is currently on the pre-med track. She is also involved in organizations at Rice such as Rice Pre-Medical Society (RPMS) and South Asian Society (SAS) and volunteers at Ben Taub Hospital in the NICU. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing basketball.
Undergraduate Research Assistant George Wen 
George Wen is a junior at Rice University pursuing a degree in cognitive science. He hopes to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology or Psychiatry. George is particularly interested in learning how therapies like ACT, CBT, or DBT impact the brain and also the effectiveness of each of these therapies. He is also involved in other organizations like PAIR, Rice Health Advisor, and Pancakes for Parkinson’s. In his free time, George enjoys reading mangas, playing guitar, cooking Asian food, and dancing.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Shaun Kerry
Shaun is a senior at Rice University majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. He’s very interested in how we can use emotion regulation tactics to help better people’s health and their overall outlook on life. He plans to expand on his research experience by continuing into further education after graduation from Rice. Shaun can also be found at the track, as he competes as a hammer thrower for the Rice Men’s Track & Field team. In his free time he likes to explore Houston’s pizzerias and watch Liverpool play in the premier league.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Chloé Khuri
Chloé is a sophomore at Rice University on the Pre-Med track and pursuing a degree in Psychology and Health Science. She is interested in understanding the correlation between aggressive behavior and video game usage in adolescents as well as the effects of emotions such as distress, grief, and anger on physical health. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school to become a Neurologist with a sub-specialty in Headache Medicine. Currently, she works as a Student Help Desk Assistant at the O’Conor building, a Tour Guide for the Rice University Office of Admissions, and the Treasurer for the Rice Ballroom Team. In her free time, she enjoys vlogging for her YouTube channel, playing video games, or listening to My Chemical Romance and similar artists.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Ayra Matondang
Ayra is a sophomore at Rice University majoring in Social Policy Analysis. She is interested in the intersection between policy and public health and how SDOH affects mental health. Looking forward, Ayra is planning to pursue a career in clinical therapy. Outside the lab, she is heavily involved in her residential college, Rice Student Association and sustainability initiatives around campus. In her free time, she enjoys journaling, thrifting and finding new music to listen to
Undergraduate Research Assistant Mariam Falana
As a sophomore at Rice University on the Pre-Med track, Mariam Falana is majoring in Neuroscience with a focus on cellular and molecular neuroscience. She aspires to attend medical school, with a particular interest in neurosurgery and trauma medicine. In her extracurricular activities, she serves as the Outreach Officer for Women in STEM and a Dance Assistant in RASA Dance, showcasing her commitment to community and cultural engagement. Mariam used to work for Associate Professor Julia Saltz and assisted in the research on fruit flies and its correlation to evolutionary development and genetics of behavior. Her academic pursuits include groundbreaking research on how multisensory integration is enhanced through neuroplasticity during sleep, aiming to unravel the mysteries of learning and memory processes. Outside the lab, Mariam enjoys a rich and diverse life – she’s passionate about dancing to various music genres, mentoring fellow Black students, and engaging in creative hobbies like crocheting.
Lab Mascot Baby Groot 
Baby Groot is the beloved mascot of T-SCAN. His resilience and positive attitude, in the face of stress and chaos, is an inspiration to emotion regulation researchers everywhere.
Lab Alumni
Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Richard Lopez
Dr. Rich Lopez earned a BA in Psychology in 2009 from Princeton University, and then worked as a research assistant in Dr. Kevin Ochsner’s lab at Columbia University. In 2017, he obtained his PhD in cognitive neuroscience from Dartmouth, where he studied brain-behavior relationships as they relate to self-regulation of eating. He served as the Postdoctoral Fellow in the T-SCAN lab from 2017-2019. Broadly, Rich is interested in linking appetitive and affective processes to health outcomes and health risk behaviors—within and across populations. Outside of research, he enjoys reading, running, hiking, and nerd-ing out about metaphysics, statistics, meteorology, or any combination thereof. In Fall 2019, Dr. Lopez began his first faculty position at Bard College. In 2022 he moved to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he serves as an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology and Director of the Social Neuroscience of Affective Processes (SNAP) Lab.
Graduate Student Eva Dicker
Eva is interested in the strategic investigation of emotion regulation strategies and their interventions using a variety of methods. She received her B.A. in Psychology and minor in English at UC Berkeley in 2018. Before coming to Rice, she took a year to work with the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center on the KHANDLE study, which aims to understand ethnic disparities in dementia incidence by assessing early and midlife risk factors and MRI imaging. Her previous position created an interest in working with caregivers of Alzheimer’s Disease to develop more effective and accessible intervention tools. Outside of lab and class, she is busy exploring Houston’s music and art scene, eating everything in sight along the way! In 2023 Eva began as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Seattle University.
Graduate Student Anoushka Shahane
Anoushka, an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Fellow, earned her BS at Tufts University in 2015 and finished her PhD at Rice in 2022. Anoushka is interested in exploring neurobiological mechanisms and physiology underlying affect to understand how they impact health outcomes—specifically, risk for cardiovascular disease. Prior to joining the lab, Anoushka worked with Drs. Mahzarin Banaji, Jason Mitchell, Diana Tamir (Harvard), Heather Urry (Tufts), and Vasu Chandrasekaran (Cubist Pharmaceuticals) on a variety of projects ranging from developing an algorithm to identify and prioritize secondary metabolites in genomic sequences, to implementing a cognitive control manipulation to alleviate anxiety symptoms in the presence of stress. Outside of research, Anoushka can be found in the ballet studio, drinking coffee, or eating sushi.
Graduate Student Shane Reader
As a scientist, Shane Reader seeks to connect the dots between the neurological processes, affective evaluations, and physiological motivations that often scuffle for influence over our health-related behavior and decision-making. Drawing from an ever-deepening toolbox of functional, physiological, and cognitive measures, these lines of research seek to address fundamental questions such as, why do some people find it harder than others to make healthy choices? By what pathways do neurological motivations influence our health-related behavior? and How can we best control both our explicit and implicit processes?
Lab Manager / Research AssistantMallory Reissnecker
Mallory joined the T-SCAN lab in the summer of 2021 as the lab manager. She graduated from James Madison University in May 2021, earning a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Prior to the T-SCAN lab, Mallory worked as an undergraduate research associate in the University of Southern California Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning, and Education underneath the direction of Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang. In the future, Mallory plans to expand her career in project management. In her spare time, Mallory enjoys finding the best coffee shops in Houston, playing a good game of pick-up volleyball, and dancing the night away with her best pals
Lab Manager / Research Assistant Jenna Jones
Jenna joined the T-SCAN lab in the summer of 2019 as the lab manager. She graduated from The University of Houston in December 2018, earning a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Medicine in Society. Prior to the T-SCAN lab, Jenna worked on a variety of projects as a research assistant in the Developmental Psychopathology Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Carla Sharp, and the Anxiety and Health Research Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Michael Zvolensky. In the future, Jenna plans to pursue her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, interested in researching anxiety disorders in adolescents and the contributing mechanisms. In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts, sewing, and trying to make her cat famous on Instagram. Upon leaving T-SCAN, Jenna accepted a position at the RADD lab at CU-Boulder investigating the development of depression in adolescents.
Lab Manager / Research Assistant Julia Chavez
Julia received her BA in Cognitive Sciences from Rice University in 2017, and then joined the T-SCAN Lab as the founding lab manager, a position she kept until 2019. Prior to the T-SCAN lab, Julia worked as a research assistant in Dr. Jake Kushner’s endocrinology lab studying beta cells and their role in diabetes. She also studied in Copenhagen, Denmark with the Medical Practice and Policy program at DIS. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts and stand-up comedy. As of Fall 2019 Julia will begin medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Ambreen Younas
Ambreen, who graduated with a major in Psychology and a minor in Biochemistry & Cell Biology, was a member fo the T-SCAN Lab from Spring 2021-Spring 2023. She is interested in understanding emotions more in depth in order to make connections between culture, religion, and emotion. Currently, Ambreen is planning to go to medical school in order to become a cardiologist. In her free time, Ambreen likes to eat Thai food (pad kee mao is her absolute favorite dish), play tennis, and watch reruns of “Little House on the Prairie”.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Ridwana Islam
Ridwana, who graduated with a major in Neuroscience, was a member of the T-SCAN Lab from Summer 2021-Spring 2023. She is interested in learning about the connection between the brain and behavior, specifically in regards to emotions and mental health. Ridwana is now attending medical school. In her free time, Ridwana likes to take walks with friends, try new restaurants, and discover new musical artists.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Andrea Cedillo
Andrea, a Neuroscience major and Biochemistry & Cell Biology minor, was a member of the T-SCAN lab from Summer 2021-Spring 2023. She is interested in how neurological disorders influence mental health and emotional well-being, as well as exploring the neural mechanisms of altruism and other cooperative behavior. She is planning on going to to medical school and is interested in a career in neurology and pediatrics. In her free time, Andrea enjoys reading poetry, drinking tea, making Spotify playlists, and playing Exploding Kittens.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Rongyin He
Rongyin, a Neuroscience major and international student from Shanghai, was a member of the T-SCAN Lab from Spring 2022-Fall 2022. She is passionate about learning more about the research methods involved with studying emotional experience and regulation. Specifically, she is interested in the mechanisms behind the rise of dramatic emotion over a short time period. Her background makes her aware of the challenges that come with implementing emotion regulation strategies under different cultural contexts. In her spare time, she paints, plays piano, and has always had the desire to try fishing one day.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Gospel Ibe
Gospel, a major in Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology, was a member of the T-SCAN Lab from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022. From high school, he developed an interest in how diverse populations experience emotion, a topic that he explored through his study on the effects of music on emotional states and task performance. In his spare time, Gospel enjoys producing music, playing sports, and making all kinds of art.
Undergraduate Research Assistant David Palmer
David, who studied Psychology, Health Sciences, and Sociology, was a member of the T-SCAN Lab during the Fall semester of 2021 and Fall semester of 2022. David is interested in the health disparities of minority groups, and is concerned with the intersections between emotion, mental health, and social categorization. Previously, David worked in the Culture and Diversity Industrial/Organizational Psychology Lab with Drs. Hebl and King, and examined how race and gender affected workplace treatment and effectiveness. David is from Atlanta, Georgia, and enjoys trying new things (whether it be foods, types of music, TV shows, etc.) as well as spending time with friends.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Charlotte Hirsch
Charlotte graduated from Rice University in 2022 with a major in Cognitive Sciences. Originally from Rockville, Maryland, Charlotte has always been interested in the intersections between emotion, language, and mental health. In her free time, Charlotte likes drinking iced coffee, listening to music, and reading.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Tiffany Pedilla
Tiffany graduated from Rice University in 2022 with a double-major in Mathematics and Psychology. Originally from El Paso, TX, Tiffany hopes to attend graduate school with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor. She is interested in learning about religion’s intersections with mental health, and how spirituality can help people surmount great obstacles in life. Outside of academics, Tiffany enjoys playing in a Mariachi band as a violinist and singer, learning Tibetan to understand original Buddhist texts, and consuming every bit of sci-fi she can get her hands on.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Rohini Kumar
Rohini graduated from Rice University in 2021 with a major in neuroscience. She is interested in the relationship between mental and physical health and the neural mechanisms that underlie this relationship. She is conducted her senior thesis project exploring cognitive reappraisal and heart rate variability in bereaved spouses. Outside of the lab, she enjoys listening to music, dancing, baking, and reading.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Brandon Hayes
Brandon graduated from Rice University in 2021 with a double major in Cognitive Science and Psychology. Originally from Lubbock, TX, he is interested in the underlying mechanisms in the brain that contribute to automatic responses and our ability to override them. Brandon has previously worked in the Hebl/King/King lab at Rice studying discrimination on a number of minority groups. Outside of the lab, Brandon enjoys reading, watching various sporting events, and being active.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Daphne Campo
Daphne Campo graduated from Rice University in 2021 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience, in preparation for graduate school in the same areas. Broadly, she is interested in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mental health interventions from childhood to adolescence, and interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Daphne previously worked as an RA in the Consortium for Organization Resilience and Effectiveness (CORE) Lab on NASA-funded studies and group dynamic studies. Additionally, her team held the 2019 Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium (RURS) award for the Social Sciences Division for research on priming and situational evaluations. Outside of research, Daphne loves coffee, dogs, cooking, reading, and traveling. (And she will never say no to brewing you a cup of coffee!)
Undergraduate Research Assistant Madison Miller
Madison Miller graduated from Rice University in 2021 with a BA in Cognitive Sciences and minors in Neuroscience and Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Madison is interested in the intersection between mental and physical health, mental health interventions, and the neural and biochemical correlates of common emotional disorders. She is passionate about mental health education and has conducted research on the impacts of social background and mental health literacy on access to mental healthcare as a Rice Alternative Spring Break site-leader. She is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and in her free time, she enjoys iced coffee, baking, working on puzzles, and painting.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Christopher Almendariz
Christopher graduated from Rice University in 2021 with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Biochemistry & Cell Biology. He is interested in how emotions are constructed and understanding the personal patient narrative of the mental illness experience. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in psychiatry. He has previously worked with Dr. De La Garza at the Baylor College of Medicine on a clinical drug study investigating its efficacy and effects on smoking cessation in addicted populations. In his free time he likes playing tennis, reading online WebToon comics, watching anime, and gardening with his grandmother.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Olasina Awe
Olasina, a member of the T-SCAN lab during the Fall semester of 2018, graduated from Rice University in 2021 with a BA in Neuroscience. In 2023, he completed the Master of Translational Medicine program at UC Berkeley & UCSF, and now works for a public health lab in the Bay Area. He hopes to pursue a career in the Medical Technology industry, specifically focusing on Neurotechnology devices. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, discovering new music, writing, and playing sports.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Madeleine Fuselier
Madeleine graduated from Rice University in 2020 with a B.A. in psychology. Madeleine contributed to various projects in the T-SCAN lab, including leading an in-house HRV analysis project. In addition, she previously worked as a Research Assistant in the Consortium for Organizational Resilience and Effectiveness (CORE) Lab on several of its NASA-funded projects. Her research interests include emotional disorders, mental health interventions in vulnerable populations, the relationship between memory and personality, and the influence of personality on mental health outcomes. In her free time, Madeleine enjoys traveling, reading, and watching movies.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Rebecca Artall
Rebecca graduated from Rice University in 2020, majoring in Cognitive Science and Psychology. Rebecca joined T-SCAN as a research assistant in the summer of 2017 and continued until her graduation. During her time in the lab, she worked on a variety of projects, including completing her senior thesis examining emotion regulation choice, attention, and inhibition in college students. In general, she is interested in how our interpretation of a situation or environment shapes our experience, how our perception of ourselves affects behavior, and how to use psychological research findings to make positive changes in the world. Outside of research, she enjoys cooking and Pinteresting recipes she knows she’ll never actually cook.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Daniel Pham
Daniel graduated from Rice University with a double major in Computer Science and Cognitive Science in 2020. He joined the T-SCAN lab in 2018 and continued through his graduation, primarily working to develop an algorithm with graduate student Anoushka Shahane. He is broadly interested in language and memory processes as well as the connections between those processes and computational modeling. Outside the lab, Daniel enjoys listening to music, playing video games, binge-watching TV shows, and putting on face masks from Lush.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Jennifer Truitt
Jennifer graduated from Rice in 2020 with BAs in Psychology and History. She worked in the T-SCAN lab on a variety of projects during her time, including successfully completing her senior honors thesis. Upon graduating, Jennifer took a job with Dr. Eric Storch at the Baylor College of Medicine. Since matriculating in 2016, she has worked in labs such as the Break Free Smoking Study with Dr. Chris Fagundes, a study on employment opportunities for disabled individuals with Dr. Mikki Hebl, and most recently, the T-SCAN with Dr. Bryan Denny. She interned with the Dallas Center of Collaborative Psychology, allowing her the opportunity to observe assessment and treatment of patients in a clinical setting. Her research interests include depression and anxiety in adolescents, especially as they relate to emotion regulation strategies and possible intervention development for youth at risk. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys writing movie reviews, playing guitar, taking care of her gigantic dog, and accumulating books she will never have time to read.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Kyla Barnwell
Kyla,a Cognitive Sciences major, was a research assistant in the T-SCAN lab during Fall 2019 and primarily worked on the emotion regulation study involving caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. She is from Atlanta, Georgia and previously worked in the McGinley Lab at the Baylor College of Medicine with projects focusing on neural mechanisms in attention and perceptual learning with nerve stimulation. She is interested the role of emotion regulation and its impact on mental health and behavior. In her free time, she enjoys singing, checking out new restaurants, and watching sitcoms.
Research Assistant Noha Fathy
Noha recently earned a Master’s degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling at the University of St. Thomas. She was a part of the T-SCAN lab as a research assistant from 2017-2019. She is particularly interested in the relationship between emotions and physical pain and hopes to research that from a neuropsychological perspective in the future. Prior to coming to Houston two years ago, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Ain Shams University in Cairo and then moved to Bahrain to work as a flight attendant. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, kickboxing, meditation, and reading poetry.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Serena Brandler
Serena graduated from Rice University as a triple major in Cognitive Science, Psychology, and Linguistics, with a minor in Neuroscience. Serena worked as a research assistant in the T-SCAN lab from 2016-2018 and completed an honors thesis in the lab in 2017-2018. She also worked as a research assistant in Dr. Simon Fischer-Baum’s Neuroplasticity lab and as a research intern for practicing neuropsychologist, Dr. Adriana Strutt, at Baylor College of Medicine. Serena is interested in developing and testing emotion regulation strategies for students with test anxiety as well as investigating the effectiveness of reappraisal training as a treatment option for a variety of mental health disorders. In her free time, she loves to read, knit, and paint. In Fall of 2018 she became a graduate student in the Psychology PhD program at UT Austin working with Dr. Jennifer Beer.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Derek Brown
Derek Brown was a research assistant in the T-SCAN lab during Fall 2018. Derek Brown grew up in Bay City, TX studying psychology at Rice University. Derek has a passion for research and advancing science. Some of his favorite research topics include, emotion regulation, veterans and PTSD, as well as converging evidence across literatures. In his free time, Derek enjoys giving back to his community and exploring different adventures in nature.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Allison Gregg
Allison was a research assistant in the T-SCAN lab from 2016 to 2018. She intends to continue on to graduate school to earn a PhD in clinical psychology, where she can further her research interests in the biological and emotional mechanisms underlying mood disorders. She has worked as a research assistant in Dr. Fischer Baum’s Neuroplasticity lab measuring cognitive language function in stroke victims, and is also currently working in Dr. Calarge’s lab at Texas Children’s Hospital investigating the relation between intestinal permeability and depression in adolescents. When not in class or in lab, she enjoys playing and teaching tennis, playing the cello and going to pop-punk and metalcore concerts.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Isabel Jiang
Isabel was a member of the T-SCAN lab during the from Fall 2017- Spring 2018. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she has worked in a Bioengineering Lab under Harry Choi at the California Institute of Technology as well as an ecology lab under Lauren Eveland at Rice University. Isabel is interested in learning more about the roles of the brain in influencing human behavior, especially in relation to the long-term effects of specific actions or thoughts. In her free time, she loves to work on her bullet journal, play board games and take naps.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Erica Lee
Erica was a research assistant in the T-SCAN lab from Fall 2018 to Spring 2018. She is originally from Illinois, but moved to Seoul when she was 10. Previously, she was an intern at the Emotion Science Center in Korea, where they developed products for more effective methods of emotion regulation and biofeedback-related relaxation training. She was also a research assistant in Dr. Hebl’s lab, where she studied racial discrimination and discrimination against pregnant women. She is mainly interested in mental health and treatment for such mental disorders, and how factors such as stress, genetics, and emotions can have amplified effects on our lives. In her free time, she enjoys curating playlists of various genres, art-ing or appreciating art, reading, and wasting time on Youtube.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Donni Staley
Donni graduated from Rice University with a Psychology BA with a minor in neuroscience. She joined the T-SCAN lab in Fall 2017 and was a research assistant until Spring 2018. She has worked as a research assistant in Dr. Mikki Hebl’s lab, where she studied discrimination in the workplace, and the HOPE lab, where she studies the sociocultural factors of smoking cessation. She is interested in the links between brain and behavior, particularly the brain’s relationship to health behaviors and health outcomes. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, traveling, coaching gymnastics, and volunteering for Camp Kesem.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Vivian Wong
Vivian, originally from Illinois, majored in psychology and kinesiology at Rice University. She was a research assistant in the T-SCAN lab during the 2017 academic year. Her interests lie generally in how the body and mind interact to create experience. More specifically, she is interested in how to address physical and social-emotional limitations that affect individuals with special needs, motivating her to pursue a career in occupational therapy. In her free time, Vivian loves to bake and feed her huge sweet tooth. In Fall 2019, Vivian will be a student in the occupational therapy doctoral program at Washington University in St. Louis.
Collaborators
Chris Fagundes, Ph.D., Rice University
Jin Fan, Ph.D., Queens College, City University of New York
Cobi Heijnen, Ph.D., University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Danielle King, Ph.D., Rice University
Harold Koenigsberg, M.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Mark Kunik, M.D., Baylor College of Medicine
Richard Lopez, Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Elizabeth McIngvale, Ph.D., LMSW, Baylor College of Medicine and Peace of Mind Foundation
Jeffrey Miller, M.D., Columbia University
James Murrough, M.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Ariana Orvell, Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College
Fred Oswald, Ph.D., Rice University
Ashutosh Sabharwal, Ph.D., Rice University
Akane Sano, Ph.D., Rice University
Jennifer Silvers, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Jennifer Stinson, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine
Eric Storch, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine
Ashok Veeraraghavan, Ph.D., Rice University